Moviegoers coming out of Toy Story 5 have used many descriptors for the latest Pixar film. From bland to thoughtful, from “just fine” to wildly entertaining, the sequel has received a broad range of reactions. But star Tim Allen has described one particular moment with a word that may leave some fans scratching their heads: creepy.
In an exclusive interview with US Magazine, Allen revealed his reaction to reading the script for Toy Story 5. The actor, who has voiced Buzz Lightyear since the original Toy Story premiered in 1995, explained that he had some conflicting feelings about his character’s arc with Jessie—specifically, the romantic moment they share.
Buzz and Jessie Finally Become a Couple
After Buzz finally confesses his feelings for Jessie, the cowgirl kisses him, setting the stage for a playful wedding sequence imagined by Bonnie and her friend.
Tim Allen speaks about Buzz Lightyear – YouTube, Pixar
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Allen described the idea of the two toys kissing as “creepy” to him.
“When I’m doing Toy Story, I’m literally an 8-year-old kid,” Allen said. “That’s what the personality I feel is inside Buzz, is my 11-year-old.” As a result, seeing Buzz engage in a romantic storyline prompted an immediate reaction: “Oh God, oh no, I’m doing that?!”
Although romance between Buzz and Jessie has been hinted at throughout the franchise, Pixar had never fully committed to the pairing until now. Allen admitted that his first reaction mirrored the discomfort many children feel when watching romantic scenes with their parents.
“Every time there’s a kissing scene, everybody gets really quiet in the room,” Allen recalled, referencing his experiences watching movies with his teenage daughter Elizabeth. “That is exactly how I responded.”
Even Tim Allen Had Questions
For Allen, introducing marriage and romance into Toy Story 5 didn’t just seem creepy—it also raised larger creative questions.
“I remember when I first read it, I said, ‘Are you going to show this?’ It’s like Woody’s bald spot,” Allen recalled. “You kind of move them out of the animated thing, and it gets into some larger dramatic questions. Can they get married? And let’s move on from there.”
Woody looking at his gut in Toy Story 5 – Pixar YouTube
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However, the actor said he eventually came around to the idea.
“I loved [it] because it affects everybody in the room,” Allen said. “You know, adults, and then kids go, ‘Eew!’ You got that potpourri of responses.”
He added that he may have brought the moment upon himself. After Toy Story 4, he had jokingly suggested that Buzz should have a larger role in the next installment.
“I was just kidding around, but it was very startling when I saw the storyboards,” he explained. “I said, ‘Okay, so you took it seriously. That’s interesting!’ That was funny.”
A Different Audience for Toy Story?
The Toy Story films have always been designed to provoke reactions from both children and adults. Whether audiences share Tim Allen’s initial view that the kiss in Toy Story 5 is “creepy,” his comments may resonate with some longtime fans who never really thought of Buzz and Jessie as characters capable of growing up.
Jesse in Toy Story 5 -IMAX, YouTube
Ultimately, Toy Story 5 appears to represent a shift in the franchise’s priorities. With Jessie occupying a more central role and the story embracing childhood fantasies of romance and marriage, the film may be aiming to connect more directly with young girls in its audience. If that’s the case, Allen’s reaction may simply reflect the perspective of the inner 11-year-old boy he says he’s always brought to Buzz Lightyear.
What was your reaction to the kiss at the end of the movie? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
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